The City Louisville To Pay $12M to family of Breonna Taylor in Settlement
The Louisville Courier Journal reported at a Tuesday news conference Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer announced a $12 million settlement Tuesday afternoon with the family of Breonna Taylor. She is the black EMT worker fatally killed shot by police in her apartment six months ago on a no knock warrant.
Fischer said the city did not acknowledge any wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
Taylor’s family and attorneys Ben Crump, Sam Aguiar and Lonita Baker attended the press conference at The Mayor’s Office.
Not a only is the the largest settlement from the Louisville Police Department, the deal includes several policing reforms, such as changes to the approval process for and execution of search warrants, the hiring of a team of social workers to accompany police officers and a commitment to pursue increased drug and alcohol testing of officers involved in any shooting.
Changes to the police department include:
- Early action warning system to identify officers with red flags;
- Mandatory commanding officer review of all search warrants;
- Mandatory body camera counting from two officers of all currency seizures;
- Mandatory written approval of SWAT matrices before search warrants are executed;
- Encouraging officers to perform at least two paid hours a week of community service in the communities they serve;
- Housing credits for officers to live in certain low-income census tracts in the city;
- Hiring a team of social workers to assist with dispatched runs;
- Commitment to bargain for increased drug and alcohol testing in the next FOP contract
Aguiar said he hopes Metro Government’s willingness to discuss significant police reforms is “a turning point.”
Jefferson County grand jury may hear the criminal case as soon as this week. The grand jury would decide whether criminal charges should be filed against any of the three officers involved in her shooting death March 13 during a search for drugs, cash and other evidence in her South End.
Taylor’s killing along with George Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis sparked nationwide protest for several months. Athletes from all major US sports have protested and been vocal about the justice system.
Once again the major complaint why is the investigation taken so long. LMPD has tried to sweep this under the rug, and wait until tensions die down. Black Americans will not let her name die until those responsible are held accountable.
Taylor’s family alleged in the suit the warrant served at Taylor’s apartment was targeted at Jamarcus Glover, a convicted drug dealer had been located by police at a drug house 10 miles away before the warrant was served on Taylor’s residence.
A warrant listed Taylor’s name and address, but the main narcotics investigation was centered around Glover and co-defendants’ alleged trafficking on Elliott Avenue in Louisville’s Russell neighborhood.
The settlement is a step in the right direction but it is not justice. Once again when it comes to a wrongful killing of black person by the hands of police, the justice department wants to move at a snails pace.
Black people have been patient and our patience has run out.
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